WATER QUALITY IMPACTS CUT QUALITY AND MAINTENANCE COSTS
If you’re currently using water jet cutting at your facility, then you know how important your cutting system is to your everyday operations. However, you may not be aware of just how important water quality is to the overall operation of your water jet system.
WATER IS UTILIZED IN TWO VERY IMPORTANT AND DISTINCT WAYS: PROCESSING AND COOLING.
Water is a critical component of water jet systems and is utilized in two very important and distinct ways: processing and cooling. Poor quality process or cooling water can have a significant negative impact on your machine reducing component life and increasing the amount of maintenance required. Providing your machine with high-quality water will increase its performance and operational life.
PROCESS WATER
Process water is the water that is supplied to the high-pressure pump and used by the cutting head to cut the material. Due to the high pressures the equipment operates under, impurities accelerate wear on intensifier pump check valves, seals, high pressure lines, orifices, and nozzles. It’s crucial that this water is free of hardness, has reduced concentration of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and has a pH level within acceptable operating levels (typically between 6.5 and 8.5 pH).
COOLING WATER
Cooling water is introduced into the hydraulic loop via a heat exchanger and is used to cool the hydraulic fluid in the pump system. It keeps the hydraulic fluid temperature within operating spec (not greater than 120F, 49C). The inlet water temp should not exceed 70F (21C), a chiller is required if this is not possible. It’s important to check your pump’s specs for heat removal requirements to determine the required flow and/or closed loop cooling circuit sizing.
WATER QUALITY ANALYSIS GOALS
Water quality varies greatly city to city and by geographical region. This creates a need for a Water Quality Analysis during the installation process of your water jet cutting system. A good water quality analysis should examine the following:
LEARN MORE:
Jet Edge offers a full line of Abrasive Handling and Water Treatment options at https://jetedgewaterjets.com/water-jet-accessories/. Contact us direct to learn more about Water Quality Sampling and its importance in cut quality. Read our recent blog post on Water Quality and visit our Case Study Library to learn more about the Jet Edge Edge.
WANT TO IMPROVE CUT QUALITY AND REDUCE MAINTENANCE EXPENSE?
Whether you’re cutting with water only or running a 24/7 operation with multiple abrasive jets, Jet Edge has a pump that will bring your application the tough love it needs.
At Jet Edge, we have a pump for every application. We offer hydraulic intensifier pumps rated to 60K PSI and 90K PSI with 30, 50, 75, 100, 150 and 200 horsepower electric motors. This allows you to select the exact pump you need to maximize productivity and profitability.
JET EDGE MANUFACTURES A FULL LINE OF ULTRA HIGH PRESSURE PUMPS.
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JET EDGE IS A CUT ABOVE
UNMATCHED PRECISION & ACCURACY
Turn to Jet Edge when accuracy and speed really matter. Jet Edge Motion Systems isolate the cutting head from the catcher tank so noise and vibration do not transfer. This isolation of the tank ensures Jet Edge’s industry-leading accuracy and precision over the full life of the equipment. Applications requiring high tolerance, speed and operator efficiency will benefit greatly from the capabilities offered by the Jet Edge range of Motion Systems.
FULL LINE PROVIDER
Jet Edge is one of the few waterjet equipment companies that manufactures both its motion systems and pumps. This ensures seamless operation in the system between the pump and the motion controls and means you never get caught on service between manufacturers. Visit our accessories page to learn about the rest of the environmental systems Jet Edge makes available for your system including Abrasive Hoppers, Chillers, Abrasive Removal, Closed Loop Systems and more.
RANGE OF APPLICATIONS
Whether you are water jet cutting or abrasive cutting in 2 dimensions or 3 dimensions with a 5-axis cutting head we have the solution. Our Mid Rail and High Rail Motion systems when paired with our full range of Jet Edge Intensifier Pumps, excel across industries including steel distribution, custom manufacturing, food processing, robotic trimming, glass cutting, stone detailing, surface preparation and more. Cutting, slitting, cleaning, trimming along with other specialty applications are regularly performed with our pumps and motion systems.
PRODUCTIVITY OPTIONS
Jet Edge offers a menu of options for enhanced productivity. Lights out cutting enables machine operation without the direct supervision of a machinist. Multiple cutting heads increase productivity. Remote pump start allows pump control from the main system controls. Redundant intensifiers allow you to service your pump without bringing your system down. Load/unload systems, multiple cutting heads, heigh sensing, laser mapping, 5-axis cutting, robotic swivels, robotic integration and more allow you to design your system for the optimum productivity for your manufacturing system.
INDUSTRY LEADING CONTROL SYSTEMS
Utilizing IGEMS CAD/CAM software and an Aquavision DI fully networkable industrial PC controller, Jet Edge Motion Systems offer an enjoyable user experience. The system’s interface and commands make it easy to import or crate CAD files and programs. The optional Nesting Module provides Multi-sheet Nesting, common cutline nesting and unlike parts cutting from a single sheet to maximize material use. During operations, users are offered visibility and access to machine code via a full-featured handheld pendant.
CUSTOMIZED TECHNOLOGY & PERFORMANCE
Have a unique product or application? Jet Edge engineers and application specialists will work with you to confirm your requirements can be met with test cuts. After understanding your production goals, they will also assist in developing a custom configuration that meets your quality and productivity goals. And they will stay with you if you need additional help in implementation and system programming. Contact us to discuss your unique application!
YES, IT STARTS WITH THE WATER!
Our Water Filtration and Chilling Systems can eliminate the negative impact of poor water quality and high ambient water temperatures that wreak havoc on your water jet cutting.
SCHEDULE FREE APPLICATION ANALYSIS!
SEE HOW A JET EDGE WATERJET SYSTEM IS A CUT ABOVE THE REST.
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